14-Year-Old Teenager In Foster Care Asks Coach To Make Her A Part Of His Family

Aug 17, 2021 by apost team

Everyone wants to feel like they belong. Whether it's finding a group of friends you have for life, finding a sense of purpose on a sports team, or finally being part of a huge family, everyone deserves to be accepted for who they are. For a teenage girl in Alabama, it took a good amount of time, but she finally found that sense of belonging. Alecia is 14 years old and has sadly already been faced with some hardships. After having a difficult foster care experience, she had reached out to her coach in hopes that he would foster her. Luckily for Alecia, he said yes.

Daniel Donaldson is a youth sports coach in Haleyville, Alabama, who lives with his wife Tiffany and their three children. He has gotten to know Alecia pretty well over the past few years. He first began coaching her in 2019, easily becoming a role model and mentor to the teenage girl. The family didn't hesitate when it came time to help the young girl out as she had faced some tough experiences in the past with foster homes. Thankfully, it was an easy fit for Alecia to join the Donaldson family, as everyone got along extremely well.

Even though she had been with the family for over a year as a foster child, it was up to Alecia to decide if and when she wanted to be adopted. For Donaldson's birthday in May 2021, Alecia had a surprising and emotional gift that was sure to change both of their lives forever.

After taking Alecia in as a foster child, Donaldson and the rest of his family left the decision up to the teenager if she wanted to be legally adopted, as per ABC News. After 524 days of living with the family, Alecia finally decided to take her spot in the family official. According to ABC News, Alecia had gone to Donaldson's wife Tiffany a few months prior to plan the big day. With the help of Tiffany and the family's three children, Alecia blindfolded her foster father and gave him a series of signs to share the good news. 

The handful of signs said: "This man here started out as just my coach, but he stepped up when he didn't have to. He is now not only my coach. My encourager, my protector, my provider, but now the man I call daddy." 

Once the signs in his hands ran out, Donaldson was instructed to take off his blindfold and read a note before finally looking at the family and the remaining signs. After turning around, Donaldson was met with the remaining signs, which said: "Let's make it official. Will you adopt me?" The coach didn't even hesitate before hugging his new daughter as he was overcome with emotions. Celebrating an unforgettable moment, the two continued to hug for a few moments. 

Speaking with ABC News, Alecia explained just how much her father's hug meant to her. "I will always remember that day and the hug he gave me," she said. "When he hugged me I felt so happy and safe."

apost.com

What did you think about this heartwarming story? Were you surprised to see how this teenager asked her coach to adopt her? Let us know, and be sure to pass this on to your family and friends, too!